Puerto Rico candidate for governor, short in funds, plans to mine social media
The first independent candidate for governor of Puerto Rico, Alexandra Lúgaro, is counting on social networks to promote her image and create a niche for herself in a system controlled for decades by two parties.
Lúgaro, a 33-year-old attorney, told EFE in an interview Monday that despite her campaign's lack of means to challenge the island's two major parties, she firmly believes she can become the next governor of Puerto Rico by making full use of social networks.
"Yes, I see myself as governor," Lúgaro said about the election in November 2016, an uphill battle provided her lack of financial wherewithal that's traditionally spent by the ruling PPD, which promotes Puerto Rico's status as a U.S. commonwealth, and the PNP, which wants the island to become the 51st state.
For Lúgaro, that issue – so frequently portrayed as the definitive one on the island – is not a top priority.
"First comes the economy," she said, concerned about the hard times the island is going through after more than eight years of recession and with a government that is doing a lot of juggling to come up with a budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
Repeal of the Cabotage Law, which says that all goods transported to the island must to be carried in U.S.-flagged and manufactured ships with American crews, is undoubtedly one of the priorities she will pursue if one day she should occupy La Fortaleza, the seat of the island's governor.
Lúgaro announced her run on March 17 during a first press conference in which she revealed some of the planks in her platform: rejection of the current PPD-PNP two-party system and of the tyranny of debt rating agencies, which have reduced much of the island's bonds to junk- or near-junk status, and her identification with demands of the Occupy movements that have emerged in many places.
Her recommendations include renegotiating Puerto Rico's debt, legalizing marijuana and recognizing same-sex marriages – positions that have been insufficient to keep Puerto Rican media from focusing on her undoubted youth and beauty, as well as on her private businesses.
Turning back a value-added tax proposal by Gov. Alejandro García Padilla, and reducing the island's dependence on food imports – about 80 percent of the island's food supply is shipped in – are two other priorities.
The candidate has also tried to turn the media's away from her looks, which she doesn't want to interfere with her message.
During a recent address in a packed auditorium at the University of Puerto Rico, Lúgaro complained about the media's lack of objectivity and seriousness while reporting on her foray into politics.
She also wants to make it clear she has nothing to hide about the family business, America Aponte & Associates, the offices of which were searched by FBI agents in late March for reasons that have not been made public by the Bureau.
The company receives government funds from contracts signed with the Puerto Rico Department of Education to provide educational services.
Puerto Rico candidate for governor, short in funds, plans to mine social media
Lúgaro, a 33-year-old attorney, told EFE in an interview Monday that despite her campaign's lack of means to challenge the island's two major parties, she firmly believes she can become the next governor of Puerto Rico by making full use of social networks.
"Yes, I see myself as governor," Lúgaro said about the election in November 2016, an uphill battle provided her lack of financial wherewithal that's traditionally spent by the ruling PPD, which promotes Puerto Rico's status as a U.S. commonwealth, and the PNP, which wants the island to become the 51st state.
For Lúgaro, that issue – so frequently portrayed as the definitive one on the island – is not a top priority.
"First comes the economy," she said, concerned about the hard times the island is going through after more than eight years of recession and with a government that is doing a lot of juggling to come up with a budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
Repeal of the Cabotage Law, which says that all goods transported to the island must to be carried in U.S.-flagged and manufactured ships with American crews, is undoubtedly one of the priorities she will pursue if one day she should occupy La Fortaleza, the seat of the island's governor.
Lúgaro announced her run on March 17 during a first press conference in which she revealed some of the planks in her platform: rejection of the current PPD-PNP two-party system and of the tyranny of debt rating agencies, which have reduced much of the island's bonds to junk- or near-junk status, and her identification with demands of the Occupy movements that have emerged in many places.
Her recommendations include renegotiating Puerto Rico's debt, legalizing marijuana and recognizing same-sex marriages – positions that have been insufficient to keep Puerto Rican media from focusing on her undoubted youth and beauty, as well as on her private businesses.
Turning back a value-added tax proposal by Gov. Alejandro García Padilla, and reducing the island's dependence on food imports – about 80 percent of the island's food supply is shipped in – are two other priorities.
The candidate has also tried to turn the media's away from her looks, which she doesn't want to interfere with her message.
During a recent address in a packed auditorium at the University of Puerto Rico, Lúgaro complained about the media's lack of objectivity and seriousness while reporting on her foray into politics.
She also wants to make it clear she has nothing to hide about the family business, America Aponte & Associates, the offices of which were searched by FBI agents in late March for reasons that have not been made public by the Bureau.
The company receives government funds from contracts signed with the Puerto Rico Department of Education to provide educational services.
Puerto Rico candidate for governor, short in funds, plans to mine social media
Comments